Technical Architect (Senior)

Job summary

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Are you a technical architect looking for a new opportunity? Now is a fantastic time to continue to build your career in our exciting, creative and world-class software development team. If you want to learn, lead and help others to deliver technological solutions and be part of delivering public service that makes a real difference, HMRC is a great place to do that.

HMRC is replacing legacy applications with SaaS and PaaS cloud services. We need a Senior Technical Architect who will act as the architectural authority for Business Developed Applications (BDApps), defining how we use our technology stack across the estate, including application structure, hosting models, security patterns, integration approaches and lifecycle management. You will guide teams on when Blazor is the right choice and when alternative approaches are more appropriate, making technology decisions based on fitness for purpose rather than novelty.

Job description

As a senior member of the multidisciplinary Technical Innovation team, you will work with Product Managers, Software Developers and technology specialists to provide architectural leadership for HMRC’s Business Developed Applications estate. You will oversee around 140 desktop and web applications, ensuring they are efficient, effective and aligned to HMRC’s wider technology strategy.

Your focus is shaping and governing the technical direction of BDApps as they move from legacy solutions to modern SaaS and PaaS services on AWS. You will define and maintain the BDApp Platform, setting clear standards, patterns and guardrails that enable teams to deliver safely and consistently. This includes providing strong direction on web architecture, Blazor based solutions and cloud native use of AWS, with decisions driven by user need, operational reality and value.

You will work closely with delivery teams, business partners and IT colleagues to review designs, challenge proposals and set clear architectural direction. You will support teams running live legacy applications while defining realistic, phased migration paths to AWS hosted web services and SaaS solutions. You will ensure BDApps integrate cleanly with the wider HMRC technology stack and support end to end digital services.

The role focuses on architectural leadership rather than hands on development. You will address issues across the BDApp estate, identify opportunities to simplify and standardise and assess emerging technologies where they add value. You will contribute architectural input to business cases and strategic decisions. You will not be expected to code, but you must be technically credible, comfortable working in ambiguity and able to explain complex technical concepts to non technical audiences.

Person specification

We are looking for a Senior Technical Architect who provides clear, pragmatic technical leadership across HMRC’s BDApp estate. You will shape and govern the architecture for around 140 desktop and web applications, balancing the need to run and improve legacy services with a steady transition to modern SaaS, PaaS and AWS hosted web solutions. You are comfortable working at pace in complex environments, able to make sound architectural decisions and explain them clearly to both technical and nontechnical audiences. You focus on service quality, sustainability and user need, selecting technology because it is appropriate to the problem and not because it is new. You work confidently with delivery teams, senior stakeholders and partners to ensure BDApps are efficient, secure and aligned to HMRC strategy. This includes

- Technical authority for the BDApp estate of around 140 desktop and web applications

- Architectural leadership for BDApp SaaS, PaaS and AWS hosted web services

- Ownership of architectural standards, patterns and roadmaps including Blazor usage

- Strong focus on service quality, operability and whole life cycle design

- Close collaboration with delivery teams without hands on coding responsibility

- Clear decision making and effective challenge in fastmoving environments

- Influence over strategy, investment and long term technical direction

Illustrative Technical Skills

- Architecture design for large application estates spanning legacy and modern platforms

- SaaS and PaaS solution design within enterprise environments

- AWS architecture including hosting, security and integration patterns

- Web application architecture including Blazor and related frameworks

- Service lifecycle design from discovery through live operation

- Technical governance, assurance and design review

- Integration architecture across enterprise technology stacks

- Security, accessibility and resilience by design

- Platform design and continuous improvement

- Producing clear architectural documentation and guidance

Essential Criteria:

• Proven experience governing high and low level designs across the full service lifecycle
• Ability to manage a quality service by designing for stability, security and supportability
• Strong decision-making skills with clear rationale and ownership of outcomes
• Experience translating business problems into effective technical designs at pace
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non technical audiences
• Experience setting and refining architectural standards, patterns and roadmaps
• Credibility when leading technical discussions with delivery teams and stakeholders
• Ability to balance immediate delivery pressures with long term architectural health
• Awareness of emerging technology trends and their practical application
• Demonstrated ability to deliver architectural outcomes in fast paced, ambiguous environments

Desirable Criteria:

- Experience defining, owning or evolving technical standards, architectural policies or reference patterns across multiple teams or services

- Experience contributing to the design or refinement of a shared application platform, including simplification or rationalisation of large BDApp estates

- Experience supporting or influencing cloud adoption on AWS beyond individual services, including cost efficiency, resilience or security guardrails

- Previous line management experience

Additional Security Information

Please note: Security Check (SC) clearance level, either already held or willing to obtain, is a requirement of this role. Please see Additional Security Information and Security sections below.

Leeds Locations

Moves Adjustment Payment will be available for this role, provided the successful applicant is a current HMRC colleague in Bradford and meets the eligibility requirements outlined in the HMRC’s Moves Adjustment Payment guidance.

Alternative Job contact:

For more information please contact:

• Name : Andy Blaber
• Email :andy.blaber@hmrc.gov.uk

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Technical questions and presentation

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £58,541, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £16,959 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.

We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.

• Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues’ Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
• Family friendly policies.
• Personal support.
• Coaching and development.

To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it’s really like to work for HMRChear from our insiders or visitThinking of joining the Civil Service

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Experience and Technical skills.

How to Apply

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:

• A name-blind CV including your job history. Please limit the job history to no more than 200 words per role.
• A 1000-word Personal Statement. Your Personal Statement should be used to describe how your skills and experience would be suitable for the advertised role, making reference to the essential criteria and person specification outlined in the advert.

Please complete a separate statement (Max 250 words) for the Desirable Criteria where applicable. This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy-holder where candidates have the same scores at interview.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

At sift your CV and your Personal Statement will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.

We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.

Interview

During the panel interview, your experience will be assessed to explore in detail what you are capable of. You will also be asked technical questions and presentation.

Interviews will take place via video link. Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. Mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we may not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, or have withdrawn yourself in error and need your application reinstated whilst the campaign is still live, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk – Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example – ‘Please re-open my application – [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]’.

To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application.

The HMRC app can help you with your application

The HMRC app can provide you with your past 5 years' employment history, making the process of filling in your application quicker and easier.

If successful in your application, you will need your National Insurance number for the onboarding process.

Download the HMRC app now and save your National Insurance number to your digital phone wallet.

How to download the HMRC app and sign up for an account

Download the free HMRC app from the App Store or Google Play store.

If you have an HMRC online account already, sign straight in using your ID and password. If not, you can prove your identity by answering some questions or providing your photo ID.

You’ll then be able to access the app quickly and easily by signing in using a 6-digit PIN, your fingerprint, or facial recognition.

You can find guidance for technical issues on GOV.UK: Technical support with HMRC online services.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles – if this applies to you, we’ll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.

Merit List

After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.

Criminal Record Check

Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.

Hybrid working at HMRC

HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).

Reasonable Adjustments

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact the UBS Recruitment team via unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Technical Support

If you are experiencing problems that cannot be resolved by our ‘help’ section, then technical support is available. You will receive a reply in 2 working days.

Additional Security Information

Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

From 1 April 2026, applicants will be required to meet updated nationality and residency requirements so that National Security Vetting (NSV) checks can be conducted. If this affects you, we will give you more information at the appropriate time.

Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers:

This role may be suitable for existing HMRC employees who are contractual homeworkers. Occasional attendance to the office will be required where there is a business need. Please consider the advertised office locations for this role when applying and only select locations from the ‘location preferences’ section that you can travel to.

Terms and Conditions

Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.

HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.

Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.

Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.

Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.

Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.

If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - GOV.UK.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Elaine Brawley
• Email : elaine.brawley@hmrc.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via ubsrecruitmentcomplaints@hmrc.gov.uk. Please note that we do not accept complaints or appeals regarding scoring of outcomes of campaigns, unless candidates can provide clear evidence that the campaign did not follow the Recruitment Principles. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their website.